MSFT Win Phone 8: Rolling Out with Verizon, AT&T, T-Mo in November

By Tiernan Ray

Microsoft’s head of the Windows Phone effort, Joe Belfiore, is on stage. He just announced the company’s offering of apps for Windows Phone has risen to 120,000 in the company’s online store, and Microsoft is extending the availability of development for the platform to 191 countries.

Belfiore makes the case that the experience on smartphones was standardized by Apple (AAPL) five years ago with iOS, and copied by Google (GOOG) with Android, but Microsoft “decided not to use that tired old metaphor” of a grid of app icons. “Our way is to put people at the center of that experience. You actually can maintain a better relationship with people because you can maintain a sense of what they’re up to in the moment. ”

Belfiore cuts to a video, lots of people with babies, doing things, etc., holding a Nokia (NOK) “Lumia” smartphone.

Belfiore goes into a discussion of “Live Tiles,” the self-updating icons that form the heart of Microsoft’s “Metro” user interface for Windows 8.

Belfiore says Microsoft wants to “reinvent what the app experience is like,” and that Windows Phone is the only operating system that has “live apps.”

The new Windows Phone lock screen now is built around such live apps. Instead of the same “boring” lock screen image, you’ll see the photos, notifications and other content from apps. It can be giving you updates on Internet deals, or updates from a brand-new version of Facebook.

Belfiore says it is “awesomely delightful” to take a Windows Phone out of your pocket and see an update from Facebook. There are other apps as well that will be new and take advantage of live tiles, including Twitter and Skype. Skype, in particular, is always on, so it can receive a call at any time, but doesn’t run its code in the background and so doesn’t drain the battery. Belfiore rattles off a bunch of other apps, including Words with Friends, the video game Temple Run, and others, amounting to 46 of the top 50 apps on phones, he says.

Belfiore is making a big deal of Pandora, the online radio service, coming to Windows Phone in “early 2013,” and he says it will be different from implementations on other phones, including a year of free music with no ads.

Belfiore is now talking about people grappling with the limits in data plans. Microsoft is introducing “data sense.” It’s designed to let you surf more and use less data. “It’s alright, we’ve got your back.” Part of it is compression, and another part is using WiFi, by sussing out the availability of WiFi hotspots and switching over to them. “As you get close to your monthly limit, data sense can automatically adjust the way you use your phone so you don’t go over your cap.”

The phone actually displays how your data use is tracking relative to your cap, he says. It will pop up a notification as you get close to your data plan limit. “What’s really different here is our data sense feature actually helps you use less data.” Belfiore says the function can help a consumer get 45% more web browsing on a phone than they would get without it. Verizon Communications (VZ) is the first carrier that will be supporting the function.

Belfiore moves to talking about a feature that “helps to calm my nerves quite a bit.” He’s talking about how kids might accidentally send an email to the boss, or delete an important contact. He cuts to a video of adorable children asking to play with the smartphone. (I’m guessing these are his adorable children featured in the video.) Microsoft’s introducing “kid’s corner,” a “separate place on your phone” that lets the kids play games, use apps, etc. — a phone within a phone, says Belfiore. He’s actually bringing the three kids up on stage. They are pretty adorable children, although children generally are.

Belfiore gives a phone to each of his adorable kids and has them tell him which apps they want to use, which he then grants permission to run. “And that’s it,” he says. He’s showing Piper how to swipe from the home screen into the section of the phone they want to use. “Notice, how quiet they are” while the kids are pre-occupied with the phones. “You get to have dinner in peace” while the kids are being babysat with the phone.

The feedback on Kids Center has been the best of any feature Microsoft has introduced, said Belfiore. Cut to a video of a “busy working mom” with two daughters and how her Windows phone lets her take care of “my two leading ladies,” her daughters.

And he brings … Jessica Alba up on stage. Perhaps not your average working mom.

Her daughter once got into her phone and tweeted stuff to Alba’s 4 million Twitter followers. “It’s locked away, so your kid is not going into your stuff and doing what they do best [...] create chaos.”

What does she like about Windows Phone “from my work that I do to the music I like, it’s all, you know, right there … and I’m obsessed with the camera.”

Alba used to use an iPhone, but she switched. She said it was “really easy” to switch. She was most worried about her music, but she called Belfiore and he magically switched over all her music. (You may not get the same kind of help from Belfiore personally.) All that was required was to install the “Connector” program on Mac, says Belfiore.

Alba’s also a jobs creator: she started a company to sell non-toxic baby products — diapers, etc. — big applause for that. Belfiore is an enthusiastic future user of the app for the shop, he says.

And she’s off. Belfiore turns to talking about “Family room,” a way to share grocery lists, share to-do lists, calendar items, etc., including notes and photos, amongst family members. Belfiore and his wife having been using it a lot, he says, and his sister-in-law is still using an iPhone, but the three phones can talk to one another because the calendar items are shared to iPhones.

Belfiore moves to talking about how Windows Phone 8 is “the perfect companion” to your Xbox and your other Windows devices. Skydrive, for example, is available across the devices, similar to Apple’s iCloud. So the “photos and files you want are available right there for you” no matter which device you’re on, says Belfiore. “You should think about your phone and your tablet and your PC together as a virtual office.”

Skydrive will save all your photos for as long as you want, compared to iCloud storing 1,000 photos for 30 days, notes Belfiore. That will set Windows Phone apart from other smartphone offerings.

Belfiore says the company will have its synchronization program on Mac, Windows 7 and Windows 8, so “you’ll be able to move your iTunes music and playlists across all your devices.”

Belfiore cuts to a video of CEO Steve Ballmer. There’s so many people in his life that have advice to give him. Some advice he “sorely needs.” Some of the advice he follows, and sometimes he gets asked for advice. “Steve’s Phone” is the tag line. And Ballmer is up on stage. Ballmer said the response over the weekend was “incredible” and that the “preliminary demand is well above what we saw for Windows 7.”

Four years ago the company started on Windows Phone. “We didn’t want to build just a single phone for all of us. We wanted to build a phone that could be personal for each of us.”

The “simple act of pinning” a friend or family member to the start screen is the key, says Ballmer. “When you try this for the first time, you will see your phone literally come alive.”

“What else sets Windows Phone 8 apart? How it works with Windows PCs. Just log in once and everything you care about will light up” across the various Windows devices. Also, it’s about “killer hardware.”

“Some of the best hardware you will find in any smartphone,” says Ballmer. Ballmer holds up a yellow Nokia Lumia 920. Nokia are “doing spectacular work,” says Ballmer. He talks up the “world class” camera and the pioneering work in wireless charging,

Ballmer holds up a Samsung Electronics (005930KS) “Ativ S,” which he calls a “flat-out gorgeous” phone, and an HTC (2498TW) “8X.”

All of the units will go on sale in Europe this weekend. They will continue to roll out in November, he says. In the U.S., customers will be able to buy from Verizon, AT&T (T), and T-Mobile USA. Verizon will carry the 8X and Nokia’s Lumia 822 by Nokia, and Samsung’s “Ativ Odyssey,” by December. T-Mobile will by November 14th have the 810 and the 8X. AT&T will roll out the 920 exclusively, the 820, and the 8X, in November. THey will share more on prices and availability soon, says Ballmer. Microsoft’s 65 stores open this season will carry every phone available for sale in the U.S., says Ballmer.

Between the launch of Windows 8, Microsoft’s Surface tablet computer, and the intro of Windows Phone 8, “I guarantee you, you won’t be able to turn on a TV or open a magazine without seeing a Windows ad,” says Ballmer.

Ballmer is wrapping up by bringing Jessica Alba back on stage, and Belfiore. “You’ve seen Joe’s phone, you’ve seen my phone, and you’ve seen Jessica’s phone. You probably wouldn’t confuse me and Joe, and you probably won’t confuse me and Jessica,” says Ballmer.

That’s probably true, most people wouldn’t confuse Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer with the actress Jessica Alba. They each hold up their Windows Phone phone.

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There are 23 comments

OCTOBER 29, 2012 1:23 P.M.

Tychicum wrote:

Sounds like a security / privacy nightmare to me

OCTOBER 29, 2012 1:26 P.M.

iFatigue wrote:

Nokia Lumia 920 And Nokia 820 Have Started To Ship From The Factory

Nokia has today announced that Nokia Lumia 920 and Nokia 820 have started to ship from the factory where they were being built and are on their way to the UK. Also Nokia Lumia 920 will be exclusive to EE and Phones 4u here in the UK. Also EE will carry Lumia 820 LTE edition on their network. Retailer Phones4u will stock the full colour range for both the Nokia Lumia 820 and Nokia Lumia 920, with red, black, white and yellow versions available.

OCTOBER 29, 2012 1:28 P.M.

Joemiz wrote:

Oh my god wp8 is assume - iPhone o/s is old junk

OCTOBER 29, 2012 1:32 P.M.

joemiz wrote:

Awesome

OCTOBER 29, 2012 1:42 P.M.

Joemiz wrote:

Running itunes on windows phone 8 - wow this is getting better all the time

OCTOBER 29, 2012 1:52 P.M.

Peter wrote:

Jessica + WP8 = Awesome!

OCTOBER 29, 2012 1:59 P.M.

Gary wrote:

Only halfway and i already want to say good bye to my s3 for a 920.

OCTOBER 29, 2012 2:03 P.M.

Wow! wrote:

Looks like Microsoft went all-in and won. Welcome to the Windows generation.

OCTOBER 29, 2012 2:20 P.M.

Choice wrote:

At last, a phone that doesn't look like anyone else's on the counter...

OCTOBER 29, 2012 2:22 P.M.

Getaneditor wrote:

"separeate"

Get an editor!!

OCTOBER 29, 2012 2:26 P.M.

Rich Davis wrote:

As pretty and famous Jessica Alba is, she isn't exactly the sharpest tool in the drawer. What? I'm supposed to listen to Jessica Alba on what phone to use? Yeah, right.

OCTOBER 29, 2012 2:28 P.M.

Rich Davis wrote:

Wow, ya have to wait until 2013 for Pandora? Jeez. I wouldn't have said that. Yeah, but a phone now and wait some more until they get the apps that you want to use. Great. Just what I need.

OCTOBER 29, 2012 2:37 P.M.

Needs A Change wrote:

At last! A clear and direct route out of the iOS ecosystem!!!!!

OCTOBER 29, 2012 2:40 P.M.

THANG wrote:

Window phone is perfect, when you switched to Window Phone, you never go back with the IPhone or Samsung Galaxy, I have used the IPhone 4S before a year ago, and now planning to get the Lumia 920

OCTOBER 29, 2012 2:43 P.M.

Can'tW8 wrote:

Although Pandora isn't available until next year, Nokia phones come with free music streaming. That should fill the Pandora gap. And to be honest with you, I've never used Pandora and I have been using smart phones since 2002. I'd rather tune in with iHeart Radio if I can't find anything to listen to in my library.

OCTOBER 29, 2012 2:58 P.M.

Joemiz wrote:

Went to Mircotropolis - wow this is a new generation everyone was under 20 years old and flashing Nokia 900s - can't wait unitl the 920 in Yellow is available best to Joe, Steve B & Steve S & Panos

OCTOBER 29, 2012 3:03 P.M.

Anonymous wrote:

Lets put this into perspective , apple has landed on the moon already and are planing a trip to mars with google hot on there tail , Microsoft is doing there first rotation around the moon and haven't even landed , 5 years 2 late , but way ahead of black berry so for that I give them credit

OCTOBER 29, 2012 4:13 P.M.

Joemiz wrote:

Russia was first in space - USA long-term beat them to the moon 1969 - Xbox was last to market now we're #1 - Nokia Lumia 920 Yellow the must have device

OCTOBER 29, 2012 4:18 P.M.

abbeysmaster wrote:

most of these "comments" are clearly from their staff or social media managers. someone needs to coach the team to post lest obvious puffery.

OCTOBER 29, 2012 4:28 P.M.

Klippenstein wrote:

Its time for a broad adoption of this lovely, well designed, well integrated with everything Microsoft yet value priced phone!

OCTOBER 29, 2012 5:20 P.M.

caleb wrote:

Thanks for this wrap.
New Lumia generation (Lumia 920 and 820) hits the markets in Europe early November,
followed by America, Australia, China, Russia and so on in the same month.
Verizon Lumia 822 available early December.

OCTOBER 29, 2012 6:04 P.M.

caleb wrote:

Rogers will be putting the Lumia 920 on sale starting tomorrow.

OCTOBER 30, 2012 7:24 A.M.

caleb23 wrote:

Morningstar today about Nokia:

Share price assumption at this moment: 2.40 euro (Nokia share is in Helsinki right now 2.06 euro, in New York 2.56 dollar)

Best scenario (if WP8 phones go well): the stock price will go to about 7.70 euro per share)

Worst scenario: no bankruptcy, because Nokia would be sold in parts before that.
Estimated price for this: intellectual properties over 1 euro per share;
other business parts (smartphones, featurephones, NSN) at least over 1.50 euro per share.
And NAVTEQ´s price not included (Nokia bought NAVTEQ with about 7 billion euro). All in all even in this case, Nokia share price would be at least over 2.5 euro. Pretty much like my thoughts and analysis.

About Tech Trader Daily

Tech Trader Daily is a blog on technology investing written by Barron’s veteran Tiernan Ray. The blog provides news, analysis and original reporting on events important to investors in software, hardware, the Internet, telecommunications and related fields. Comments and tips can be sent to: techtraderdaily@barrons.com.